A Minneapolis landlord who allowed a homeless encampment on his property was fined $13,000 for failing to clear out the area near Lake Street.
The fine covers the cost of the city clearing the property earlier this year. He appeared in civil court on Thursday asking a judge to dismiss the case against him. The judge declined.
"Somebody has to stand up because I think they're abused and the taxpayers' money is being abused too," said the property's owner, Hamoudi Sabri who talked with WCCO-TV.
This comes about two months after one person was killed with several others hurt during a mass shooting at the encampment.
Sabri was cited for creating a public health nuisance, which he is appealing. He's scheduled to meet again with a Minneapolis City Council committee early next year.
Sabri says his efforts to support the homeless on his property is not about the money.
"I'd rather have the city fix the issue. I'm not, you know, here to - I'm here to help the city fix the issue because I see the city is run very poorly with no business skills," Sabri explained.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said at the time of the mass shooting that the encampment wasn't safe.
"I know it's been a lot of violence lately," said MPD chief Brian O'Hara. "And we just want our community to know that we are not going to give up, and that we will continue to fight so that every person in this city can be safe."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey agreed, saying after the shooting they city was closing it down despite it being on private property.
"This is not safe," said Frey, pointing toward the ramshackle gathering of tents. "This is a danger to the community and it's being shut down right now."
The encampment's closure, in the area of South 28th Avenue and East Lake Street, was cheered by neighbors who cited unsanitary conditions and obvious drug use.